Summer is just around the corner for many of us, which means we'll obviously want to be in the best physical condition possible. Every summer, people from all over the world visit gyms and fitness clubs to change their bodies in the hopes of achieving the elusive "beach body" look that so many people want. Most people believe that a pair of washboard abs is the pinnacle of physical excellence when it comes to a lean, muscular, and aesthetically appealing physique.
Six packs are associated with fantastic-looking bodies because they're so difficult to achieve, and they also look amazing on us. The issue with getting a great-looking six pack is that getting one is considered challenging. There aren't many comprehensive ab workout workouts available, and depending on who you ask, you'll likely get a different answer each time.
People believe that to create abs, they need to do about 1000 sit-ups a day, when in fact, three exercises consisting of about three sets of 20 – 30 reps is more than enough.
Another common misconception is that even though they have a lot of body fat, they can still get a six pack by merely exercising their abs.
Now that we've cleared that up, let's look at a routine that will sculpt your abs in just four weeks. Your body fat should be about 12 percent or lower for your abs to become noticeable (which depends 90 percent, if not more, on your diet), so now that we've cleared that up, let's look at a routine that will sculpt your abs in just four weeks.
Crunches – Stomach crunches target the upper and middle abdominal muscles, which is why they're included in this exercise. Here's an example of how they're done.
Start by lying down on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart. Then, with your hands crossed over your chest, slowly curve your body upwards towards your knees until your shoulders are two to three inches off the ground.
Hold this position for a second or two before lowering your shoulders to the starting position. Rep this procedure three times more for a total of 15–20 reps.
Leg raises – Leg raises are a great way to reach the lower abs and the obliques on the side of your abdominal wall. They're also really simple to do. Here's what you can do.
Start by lying flat on your back on the floor, your legs together and spread out in front of you. Place your hands firmly on the ground next to you, and then slowly lift both of your legs into the air, keeping them together, until the soles of your feet point at the roof. Your body and legs should be at a 90-degree angle now. You should now lower both of your legs to the ground at the same time. Assemble them together and lower them until they're about an inch from the floor. Make sure your legs don't bounce off the floor, and then return them to their original starting spot.
Rep for a total of three sets of 20–30 reps.
Bicycle crunches – Bicycle crunches are great for finishing off the abs since they target the upper, middle, and lower abdominals, as well as the obliques.
Place both hands behind your head when lying down on your back. Bring your knees into your hands, then lift your shoulder blades off the ground without pulling on your spine. When you straighten the other leg, rotate to the right, taking the left elbow up to the right knee. Simply reverse the order, starting with the right elbow to the left knee, then the left elbow to the right knee, and so on. Rep for a total of three sets of 12–15 reps.
This exercise does not have to be done every day; in fact, it is best if you do it no more than three days a week. Within four weeks, you'll note a significant difference in the appearance and feel of your abs.
Again, you should work on your abs, but if they are hidden under a layer of fat, no one can see them. So, during these four weeks, make an effort to watch your diet, do some carb cycling or intermittent fasting, do your daily weight training, and add some exercise to your routine. The end result will astound you.